1. Phoenix Rehabilitation and Health Services, Inc.
1700 Old Gatesburg Road, Suite 210
State College, PA 16803
Presented By: Taylor Dyer
Supervisor: Dr. Jeffrey Nicastro, DC
Spring 2016
With over 60 locations cross-country, Phoenix Rehab, Inc. has
been providing physical therapy, occupational therapy, and
chiropractic services to patients for almost 20 years. Following
initial health, strength, and flexibility evaluations, exercise
programs are developed for each patient unique to their
weakness, injury, and/or level of functionality. These programs
are taught and administered in a professional health care
environment in pursuit to progress toward and restore normal
function. All exercise programs are designed to eventually be
completed on a long-term, at-home basis.
• Observe and aid therapist in completing exercise programs with
patients
• Demonstrate proper form of exercises to patients
• Observe manual therapy techniques and chiropractic
adjustments
• Prepare electrical stimulation and heat/ice treatments
• Clean and organize treatment areas, gymnasium, and office
• File patient stim pads and exercise treatment flow sheets
• Graston Technique-method used for diagnosing and treating
disorders of the skeletal muscles and their connective tissue.
Stainless steel tools of various shapes and sizes are used to rub
over the muscles in order to detect and correct adhesions or
“trigger points”. These spots typically cause muscle pain and
spasms, which ultimately affect function. This method breaks
down scar tissue and fascial restriction in order to restore
normal function and mobilization.
• Kinesio-Taping-rehabilitative taping technique designed to
facilitate the body’s natural healing process. While providing
support and stability to the weakened muscles and joints, Kineso-
tape also allows the area to maintain its range of motion without
restriction. The tape can be utilized using a single strip or
multiple placed in different directions and with varying amounts
of tension. Kineso-tape reduces pain and inflammation, prevents
injury, and promotes good circulation and healing.
http://www.massagehoodriver.com/portfolio-view/kinesio-taping/
http://chiro352.com/graston/
Electrical stimulation is a technique that uses electrical impulses to
stimulate the area of injury or weakness. The impulses have shown
to decrease pain and inflammation in the affected area and restore
voluntary function. At Phoenix, stim is used on patients prior to or
following their exercise treatment. There are multiple forms of
electrical stimulation used on patients depending on the nature and
severity of the injury and the desired waveform:
http://www.bethrehab.com/services/es-tens.html
• TENS Unit-(Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Simulation) is
used mostly for nerve related pain conditions. A TENS unit
works by sending stimulation pulses across the surface of the
skin and along nerve strands. Two-four stimulation pads are
used, and the session usually lasts for about 15 minutes.
• InterX Therapy-neuromuscular form of stimulation in a
handheld device that delivers bi-phasic, sinusoidal waveform
via stainless steel electrodes. Throughout the InterX treatment,
the device adjusts its output in response to changes in skin
resistance/impedance. This allows for the identification and
target of optimal treatment points.
• Iontoforesis-diffuses ions across an electrical field through a
medium in order to “pin-point” specific pain. The Iontoforesis
pad can control inflammation and pain by delivering a
prescribed drug or other compound via stimulation. At
Phoenix, an Iontoforesis pad is prepared with vinegar or a
drug called dexamethasone.
• H-wave-unique treatment to aid in overall functional
restoration and pain control. Having similar over function to a
TENS unit, H-wave electrical stimulation is much stronger. H-
wave is specifically designed to improve circulation and
enhance fluid shifts by producing strong, but comfortable
muscle contractions. Sessions using the H-wave usually last
around 30 minutes.
• Women’s Health-evaluation and treatment of musculoskeletal
disorders in women across the lifespan. This population includes
female athletes, pregnant women, menopausal, and elderly
women. Women’s health conditions that are commonly treated
are urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, pregnancy/post-partum
pain and weakness, and breast cancer.
• Aquatic Therapy-used to treat certain conditions that apply less
weight-bearing force on muscles and joints, which help make
movements easier with less pain and physical stress. The water
eliminates impact found in land exercises and allows patient to
work at a more rapid pace with increased resistance. Aquatic
therapy offers rehabilitation to patients despite severe weakness,
low mobility, and/or low bone density.
• Chiropractic Medicine-focuses on correcting complications of
the spine and associated muscles through muscular adaptation,
in addition to structural adjustments. Programs are designed to
re-educate the postural muscles of the back and spine in order
to restore normal function. When those muscles fire and
contract in correct position and form, this allows for
strengthening and re-building of the postural muscles. Common
spinal conditions treated include spinal stenosis, degenerative
disc disease, and bulging or herniated disc.
• Hand Therapy-focuses on rehabilitation of the hand and upper
limb. Certified hand therapists usually work directly with the
referring physician to treat conditions such as tendon injuries,
nerve injuries, crush injuries, and arthritis.
• Decompression Traction Therapy-nonsurgical approach used
for low back or neck pain. Avoiding risks that spinal surgeries
pose, traction therapy is a way to relieve pain and pressure
throughout the back due to compression fractures or certain
syndromes, such as scoliosis. With each successive pull, the
traction table's friction-free surface returns the spine to a
neutral position, thus allowing the control and consistency to be
increased.
http://sacramentospine.com/aquatic-therapy/